For the latest Weekly Scribblings at Poets and Storytellers United, Rommy invites us to write of a mythical time or place. Here is my take on a particular Australian place.
Lasseter’s Reef
Lasseter’s Reef was never found again, that great vein of gold he said he discovered when he was young, out in that stretch of desert somewhere between the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Or was it, after all, around the big rocks of Uluru and Kata Tjuta? It was such a long time before anyone searched, though he tried and tried to persuade them. There was easier gold to be found at Kalgoorlie.
But eventually that was all gone. Then at last they listened to Lasseter’s tale. Then they mounted an expedition. Fruitless. He was disbelieved. Once more the long years passed.
By the time they searched again, Lassiter was old, frail, morose. Yet he must have been telling the truth. He accompanied the searchers on both expeditions, trying to guide them to the place. He gave every sign of believing his own story. Others decided it was all lies.
They left the search, left him to go on alone. He did go on, determined to find his lost reef. A nomadic aboriginal tribe found him wandering, and helped him for a time; but he died in the desert, alone and emaciated, leaving his diary notes. He spent all his life from the age of 17 telling the story, trying to get people to take it seriously.
One archaeologist said the stones in that area, near where he died, were the kind that could indicate gold. Another disagreed. How could either be sure? No-one has ever seen a map of Lasseter’s Reef. No-one has ever found its location. Many have tried.
The story passed into legend. Some say Lasseter’s Reef is a myth.
I think of that stubborn old man with his lifelong obsession. How much happier might he have been if he’d been able to let go of the dream of enormous wealth? If he’d stopped chasing it through time and the desert and the disbelief?
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NOTE: in actual fact, he seems to have lived a full and interesting life despite his sad end, as Wikipedia reveals:
Lasseter’s Reef
Lasseter’s Reef was never found again, that great vein of gold he said he discovered when he was young, out in that stretch of desert somewhere between the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Or was it, after all, around the big rocks of Uluru and Kata Tjuta? It was such a long time before anyone searched, though he tried and tried to persuade them. There was easier gold to be found at Kalgoorlie.
But eventually that was all gone. Then at last they listened to Lasseter’s tale. Then they mounted an expedition. Fruitless. He was disbelieved. Once more the long years passed.
By the time they searched again, Lassiter was old, frail, morose. Yet he must have been telling the truth. He accompanied the searchers on both expeditions, trying to guide them to the place. He gave every sign of believing his own story. Others decided it was all lies.
They left the search, left him to go on alone. He did go on, determined to find his lost reef. A nomadic aboriginal tribe found him wandering, and helped him for a time; but he died in the desert, alone and emaciated, leaving his diary notes. He spent all his life from the age of 17 telling the story, trying to get people to take it seriously.
One archaeologist said the stones in that area, near where he died, were the kind that could indicate gold. Another disagreed. How could either be sure? No-one has ever seen a map of Lasseter’s Reef. No-one has ever found its location. Many have tried.
The story passed into legend. Some say Lasseter’s Reef is a myth.
I think of that stubborn old man with his lifelong obsession. How much happier might he have been if he’d been able to let go of the dream of enormous wealth? If he’d stopped chasing it through time and the desert and the disbelief?
********
NOTE: in actual fact, he seems to have lived a full and interesting life despite his sad end, as Wikipedia reveals:
Sooo Good. Risearty. The tirming point in your story for me was "Then at last they listened to Lasseter’s tale..." that happens BIG TIME in our lives today. But then again, things we the unrepresented lose, here in the U.S. has been Fake News, ignore that. And it works. I like your conclusion with viewpoint.
ReplyDelete..
Thank you, Jim. Wasn’t sure if this would be of interest. So glad you liked it.
DeleteYes, it is fascinating. I watched an episode of "Expedition Unknown" Season 3, Episode 8 with Josh Gates (Travel Channel & Discovery Channel I think).
ReplyDeleteI should try and find that.
DeleteOh, what a perfect tale about chasing gold and losing all that has true meaning.
ReplyDeleteThank you. That's what struck me about it this time – but there have been many retellings.
DeleteI was so intrigued after reading your prose that I went and did a little research online and found something which I am going to share with you! Let me know what you think đź’ť sigh .. even though Lasseter wasn't fruitful in his search and died in pursuit.. I must admit that his level of determination was quite impressive!
ReplyDeleteWell found, Sanaa!
DeleteI don't know much about the stories and legends of Australia, so it was a real treat to be introduced to this one. Drive and persistence can be good things, but obsession usually isn't. Sadly it's hard for people to see the line between them when they are in the middle of it.
ReplyDeleteSad, though, that no-one believed him. The information Sanaa turned up seems to indicate that he wasn't lying.
DeleteTo go through life (even part of one's life) with no one believing a word one says has to be soul-breaking. I'm glad that he had a good life, aside from other's disbelief. Still, like you, I wonder what he could have achieved if what he said had not been dismissed.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, Rosemary. What a sad, determined man.
ReplyDelete